THE owner of an African eagle that sparked a search after flying off during a display has spoken of his joy and astonishment after the bird found its way home.

The management of Thirsk Bird of Prey Centre, said they believed Tazmin, a female Bateleur Eagle, had flown up to 15 miles from their base at Edwardian stately home Sion Hill Hall, but despite not having a homing instinct had managed to navigate her way back.

Colin Badgery, who has run the centre for ten years, said: “When she returned it was like winning every Olympic medal on offer.

“We were extremely surprised that she had find her way back.”

Mr Badgery said the 13-year-old eagle, who performs seven days a week, had acted completely out of character by taking to the skies at about 3pm on Wednesday.

The bird had found a hot thermal and rapidly rose to a height above which she would normally fly and her continued disappearance the following day had left staff deeply concerned.

He said: “It was like an elevator. She got to a height of around 600ft and flew off in a northerly direction possibly towards Gatenby and Leeming, near Bedale.

“Our guests enjoy three different birds of prey flying displays each day which involve five different birds being flown in each display.

“Sometimes the birds will decide to explore the local countryside for a while before returning to their home at the centre, but Taz is not one of those, she is a real home bird.”

Mr Badgery said in the wild Tazmin would be a carrion feeder, and although she was a good weight, it had been important to find the eagle quickly, or else she may have learnt to feed herself, so an intensive search for her was launched.

He said after receiving information about possible sightings of the distinctive bird, which has pitch black feathers with white under the wings, a bright red face and legs, black beak, short tail and a wingspan of about 6ft, they tracked her down to a area of fields.

Mr Badgery’s daughter, Kerry, then attracted the attention of medium-sized eagle, by calling to Tazmin on the public address system she uses for the shows.

He said Tazmin appeared not to have suffered during her adventure and would return to the show on Monday.